The Pursuit of Love - Thread 5 link on page 153 - Page 58

Originally posted by: Kalyaani

As another year draws to an end, may happy times decorate this season. I wish special and warm memories brighten this Christmas and may the wonderfulness life has to offer, reserve the best for you this New Year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Happy Holidays

Originally posted by: Kalyaani

Chapter 55

"I will be out in a minute Arnav; you are not even near my place and are getting this impatient!" Khushi groaned into the phone wedged between her ear and shoulder. The damn strap of the sandal refused to fasten and Arnav was being unreasonable on the phone. "Fine, don't make me wait" he bit out and cut the call before she could reply. Khushi threw her phone on the bed next to her and bent to wear her sandals properly. Once they were fixed, she stood before the mirror to survey her appearance and add a touch of gloss to her lips. Picking up the bag and handbag, she stepped out of her room. Peering in she searched for the house keys and checked if she had everything. On hearing Arnav's car outside, she rushed to the door and turned to lock it with her set of keys. "You are ready on time, I expected to wait for an hour" he teased as Khushi sat in the car and fastened her seat belt. Khushi looked up and rolled her eyes before replying "I am not in the habit of keeping anyone waiting" and glancing at his wrist watch she added with a fake grin "You are early".

He stretched his left arm to cup her head and draw her close for a kiss and when she resisted, he raised a brow in question "Nothing much. I am reminding you about your resolution" she said teasing him back this time. He smirked and pulled her closer and she turned her face and his lips landed on her jaw. Kissing her soft skin nosily, he let go "Let's get going, will answer you later" and placed his one hand on the gear shaft and used the other to start the car. He saw her adjust her cardigan and asked "Do you want me to turn on the heater?" In answer she shook her head in the negative. Leaning back in the seat, she spoke to him looking out of the window "You could have handed the gift to him" she said faintly, and Arnav threw a quick glance in her direction and turned back to the road. "We have discussed this before, he is keen on meeting you Khushi and you have got something for him, so you give it to him" Arnav reasoned. Khushi turned to face him, "This did not apply when I turned down Akash's invitation to your home" she pointed out seriously. "You did not want to come home as you were uncomfortable visiting your boss' home, which is not the case now. We are going over to Mama's home for lunch and for you to give him his gift, which you brought all the way from Turkey" he replied, missing the flash of anger in her eyes.

When he did not hear her say anything to his reasoning, he turned to look at her, slowing down at a traffic signal. He did question her by lifting his hands of steering wheel and this time she did answer. "I am not comfortable going to your Mama's place and yet here I am because you think this is allowed while excusing myself from Akash's invitation is not. How is that fair?" Khushi asked, unable to keep the irritation out of her tone. Arnav looked at the ceiling of the car for a few seconds to calm himself before he answered. "Mama is very fond of you and has been asking about you for a long time now. Why do you equate the two situations? One has got nothing to do with the other" he pointed out, checking his anger. "It is a question of my comfort or is it not Arnav? In both cases I was not eager to visit the concerned person's home, that you want to overlook and that I find surprising" she bit back.

"I did not want you to go with Akash as I wanted you to be with me at that time and here too you are going to be with me and at Mama's place for lunch. Why is that an issue?" Arnav asked, shaking his head in disbelief. "Forget it, you will just not get it" she said sarcastically and turned away. Arnav started to say something but had to get the car moving as the signal had turned green. "Khushi, can you please let me know why don't you want to go to Mama's place?" Arnav drawled on the question slowly bringing Khushi to look at him again with incredulity. "I just did not want to go anywhere today and that you don't seem to understand. I have nothing more to say to this''''you want us to visit your Mama and we will do just that" Khushi said that and crossed her arms across her waist.

"I wanted to spend the afternoon with you and it so happened that Mama wished to meet you, so I clubbed the two. I was under the impression that you would not mind meeting him; you do get along well with him" Arnav reasoned, he really did not get what had upset her to such an extent. Khushi did not answer but looked at the hands clasped in her lap and did not realize when Arnav had stopped the car on the side and was looking at her intently. She looked up suddenly and saw Arnav observing her calmly, face immobile. Khushi flushed at being scrutinized in that manner and asked sheepishly "What happened? Why have we stopped here?". "Do you want to come with me or not?" he asked plainly and Khushi let out a sigh and simply stated "Yes." Arnav straightened up and asked again a little too sweetly "Are you sure?" and Khushi caught on immediately. "I want to be with you and I am coming with you, now do you have any other questions?" she asked irritated.

"Nope, just one actually, do you look this adorable when you are irritated?" he asked the smirk firmly perched on his face. Khushi did not know what to do, blush or come back with a witty one liner, failing to do the latter; she just turned pink and blurted "You are not fair." Arnav started laughing and this incensed Khushi and she just let out a un-lady like "hmpf" and looked away. "The moral of fair is subject to change to suit one's convenience Khushi, so there is no point in questioning my sense of fairness" he drawled and Khushi just shook her head in disbelief and noted that they had reached the road leading to Mahi's place.

He parked the car in the drive way and reached out to stop Khushi from stepping out of the car. Running his knuckles across her cheek he asked with a simple tenderness "Are you really ok with this?" Khushi bobbed her head in consent and flashed a smile and when she saw him lean in for a kiss, she glared at him. Taking the cue, Arnav let out a defeated sigh and got out of the car. Mahi opened the door enthusiastically, knowing who it would be and thumped Arnav's shoulder affectionately and reached to hug Khushi, who awkwardly stood behind Arnav. Arnav took a step back and collided into Khushi who let out an alarmed "Careful Arnav" and Mahi raised a surprised eyebrow at Arnav, who acknowledged it with a slight nod of his head and turned to steady Khushi. Manorama had in the meanwhile reached the door and tugged at Khushi's arm, urging her to come in. Mahi asked his darling nephew the all-important confirmation his face poker and lips barely moving "So do I safely presume, the sensible girl has taken pity on your wretched soul and has said yes?" Arnav looked at his Mama and answered sarcastically "Pity on my wretched soul, really?" Mahi answered him by laughing and thumped his back again as the ladies turned to look at the men in surprise.

Mahi shook his head in the negative and walked ahead, settling on the couch he urged everyone to sit. "You go on a long holiday, without keeping us informed and come back bearing gifts" Mahi started the conversation with the full intention of teasing Khushi, now that he was aware that there was something between his nephew and the pretty girl sitting intentionally away from Arnav. Khushi smiled and reached to the packet she had left on the ground when she noticed Arnav mouth "Unnecessarily long" and blushed looking down at the packet near her feet. Khushi turned to Mahi and handed him the colorful Turkey tourism logoed plastic cover. Mahi smiled "Thank you Khushi''..may I?" he asked politely and removed the contents of the packet when Khushi bobbed her head urging him to go ahead. He smiled more as he took out a bronze paper weight, a "Nazar Boncugu" for their home and a packet of Lokum. Placing everything but the sweet bag "That was very thoughtful of you Khushi. I hope you had a wonderful time with you family" Mahi asked. "I did, it was good fun; so much so that Shashi has already decided on the destination for our family holiday in December later this year" Khushi answered sweetly, stifling a giggle at the 'you cannot be serious' bewildered look Arnav threw her way.

Manorama walked in with a tray bearing drinks for everyone and her eyes fell on the bag of sweets in her husband's hand. Placing the tray on the coffee table, she plucked the bag forcefully from Mahi's hand and spoke sternly "This is not good for you, don't even think about eating it" Turning to Khushi she continued in the same tone "Thank you for these Khushi but I cannot let him have any, not a healthy option" saying that, she dropped the bag on the table next to the tray. Arnav and Mahi saw Khushi recoil at Manorama's words with eyes that flashed hurt and looked at the bag for a few seconds before she regained her composure and accepted the drink Manorama offered with a smile that did not reach her eyes. Mahi was visibly angry but did not say anything as Arnav placed a hand on Mahi's forearm requesting him to let it go. Manorama did not realize she had been unintentionally rude and spoke about many things, receiving polite answers from all present.

The house help came to inform that the lunch was set on the dining table and Manorama invited everyone to follow her to the dining area. Mahi stood up and turned to apologize to Khushi, when Arnav gestured him to go ahead. Khushi stood up and smoothed the creases on her cardigan and looked up at Arnav stand a few inches away. She gave him a feeble smile and made an attempt to move away. Arnav held her face in his hands and pulled her close to place a kiss on her forehead. His lips conveyed his apology as it lingered for a few long seconds and when he let her go, he saw her smiling in understanding. Mahi stood a few feet away observing them share a private moment and thanked God; his Arnav had finally found his Khushi.